Jill Sobule Vs. Katy Perry

08/04/09 5:49pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule has called Katy Perry out for "stealing" the title of "I Kissed A Girl" from her.

In case you're unfamiliar with Sobule, her song called "I Kissed A Girl" appeared on her 1995 self-titled album. (It was also featured on Beavis And Butthead, for those of you who care.)

Perry, of course, had a mega-hit with a song by the same name last year.

Sobule was originally somewhat nice when Entertainment Weekly asked her what she thought of Perry's song of the same name last year. But perhaps Sobule's gotten tired of being asked what she thinks of Perry during every interview she does because she had less than kind things to say about Perry in an interview with online magazine The Rumpus.

"When Katy Perry's version came out I started getting tons of inquiries about what I thought," she said. "Some folks (and protective friends) were angry, and wondered why she took my title and made it into this kind of 'girls gone wild' thing. Others, including my mother, were excited because they thought I would somehow make some money out of it. Unfortunately you can't copyright a title... bummer.

"As a musician I have always refrained from criticizing another artist. I was, 'well, good for her.' It did bug me a little bit, however, when she said she came up with the idea for the title in a dream. In truth, she wrote it with a team of professional writers and was signed by the very same guy that signed me in 1995. I have not mentioned that in interviews as I don't want to sound bitter or petty... 'cause, that's not me."

All that pent up frustration seems to have gotten to her, though, because Sobule let loose on Perry in the very next paragraph.

"Okay, maybe, if I really think about it, there were a few jealous and pissed off moments. So here goes, for the first time in an interview: Fuck you, Katy Perry, you fucking stupid, maybe 'not good for the gays' title thieving, haven't heard much else, so not quite sure if you're talented, fucking little slut.

"God that felt good."

Gossip's Beth Ditto called Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" a "boner dyke anthem for straight girls who like to turn guys on by making out or, like, faking gay" earlier this year. Perry's song has also been criticized by Pink, who said it "trivialized being gay."

Ironically, Perry's song has also offended those with right-wing political views and evangelical Christian groups. It's drawn a ton of ire from her own mother, who's an evangelical minister and called her daughter's music "disgusting."

You can see Perry here:

Aug. 4 Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre w/No Doubt and The Sounds
Aug. 7 Tokyo, Japan @ Summer Sonic Festival
Aug. 8 Osaka, Japan @ Summer Sonic Festival
Aug. 12 Brisbane, Australia @ The Tivoli w/Kate Bradley
Aug. 14 Melbourne, Australia @ Forum w/Brittle
Aug. 17-18 Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre w/Kid Confucious
Aug. 21 Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowland Ballroom w/Pony Pony Run Run
Aug. 22 Staffordshire, Engalnd @ Weston Park (V Festival)
Aug. 23 Chelmsford, England @ Hylands Park (V Festival)
Aug. 25 Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy Birmingham w/The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Aug. 26 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England @ O2 Academy Newcastle
Aug. 30 Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
Sept. 4 Salem, OR @ Oregon State Fair
Sept. 5 Seattle, WA @ Seattle Center (Bumbershoot)

You can see Sobule here:

Aug. 4 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall w/John Doe & The Sadies
Aug. 5 Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho Restaurant & Music Club w/John Doe & The Sadies
Aug. 6 Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex w/John Doe & The Sadies
Aug. 13 Schwenksville, PA @ Philadelphia Folk Festival
Aug. 15 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Aug. 30 Charleston, WV @ Mountain Stage at State Capitol Complex
Sept. 5 Evanston, IL @ Evanston SPACE
Sept. 7 Park City, UT @ Deer Valley Resort w/John Doe and Robert Earl Keen